Bowman, Rivers hold early offers

Wadesboro (N.C.) Anson features two Division I prospects on the defensive side of the ball that are getting some huge interest in cornerback Michael Bowman and linebacker Barquell Rivers. Both players are holding scholarship offers early in the recruiting process.

The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Bowman holds a lone written offer from South Carolina, but also has verbals from Florida, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.

"There are plenty of other school that are close to offering him, but those four are showing the most interest," Anson head coach Jody Grooms said. "I'd say at the moment South Carolina leads because they are his first written offer and the most persistent. He gets text messages from coach Spurrier Jr. all the time and it seems they have established a good relationship."

Over the last couple months Bowman has taken visits to South Carolina and Wake Forest.

"I know he was very impressed with both schools he saw. He had positive things to say about both visits and liked the atmospheres a lot."

Bowman was named all-conference after accounting for 1,200 yards of offense and 11 touchdowns.

"He is a very explosive player with great feet and has the ability to dominate a game," he said. "Michael can play both sides of the ball and I know a few schools are at least considering him for receiver. He is also a real good kid with wonderful leadership qualities and I've have seen him really mature over the past year."

Bowman's teammate Barquell Rivers has significantly more scholarship offers. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder is up to approximately 15 according to Grooms.

"His most recent offers are from Michigan, Florida State and Georgia Tech," he said. "Barquell is the most noncommittal kid we have at the school. He is real quiet and never talks much about recruiting or anything like that. It's kind of nice because I know he won't get caught up in all of it."

Besides the recent offers, Rivers has scholarships from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, South Carolina, North Carolina, Penn State, North Carolina State, Georgia and Florida.

Rivers registered an eye-popping 156 tackles, 14 for loss, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a junior. He went on to be named all-state and defensive MVP for the conference.

"He has been a starter with us since ninth grade and is a great leader," he said. "Barquell is intelligent on the field and in the classroom. He reads schemes really well and reacts even better and is a versatile kid that could play linebacker, fullback or safety in college."

Besides being a stud football prospect the linebacker is also an impressive baseball player.

"He was batting .600 and his ERA was below 1.00," he said. "He is certainly the best baseball player we have at Anson and in general he is just a great athlete. I know several scouts from MLB have checked him out, but I think he'll follow football unless he's a first round draft pick for baseball."

Bowman and Rivers are real close friends. Is there a chance the two would want to continue their friendship at the next level?

"I think each of them will end up doing what is best for them, but I could see that being a factor in their decision because they are so close."